The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-08-06


extended its protection. furnishing when
desired, guards for their property
Cpon two or three occasi ms tho writer
went upon this service, and his guard duty
ut one house is well remembered. The
people were well-to-do, but, like very many
Southerners, lived in large log house,
tho main part OF which consisted OF two
large, square rooms with large open
space between and wide porch IN front OF
all, while at the rear was the dining room,
aud at little distance the kitchen.
The lady Of the house was very pleasant
and chatty, and had much to say regarding
the pleasant winters they had been IN the
habit OF enjoying at Mobile before the war
put an end TO Southern prosperity
She was OF rather full figure, and In
flush times had evidently been inclined 10
dress and gay society.
The husband, u lean, lank Southerner,
was dispose 10 be taciturn. He made free
use OF the weed" however, and under
the inspiration OF a large good Of this,
especially II his wife was away, warmed
up enough TO measure OF with great deli b.
Grafton "A few words by way OF converse
ton. He talked most OF dogs and hunting,
and SAID there were yet many deer and
some bears in the forest he stated that
hunters were, however, com clled 10 wait
till the water in all the streams and bay Gus
was at very low stage, so that the dogs
used in hunting could cross without SWIM
ming: otherwise, they were liable TO be
DESTROYED by alligatOrs. He made the fur
Their statement that adOg's barking near
the bank of stream would cause any ALI
gators within ear-shot to at once come TO
the spot where the dog was supposed
TO be.
When asked CONCERNING the liability Of
an alligator attacking a human being, he
said they were not apt TO attack white
man But tell you" he added, they re
death on myers aud dogs"
BY and by dinner was announced and
was served with considerable Formally {;
several servants-yet practically slaves
being In attendance. The whole OF the
table service was very good, and the dim
ner was as excellent rs IL could well be
made without wheaton -four; corn meal IN
several forms wIS made To take ITS place.
Tombigbeo river was high and the cur
rent was very swift Scvcsal old canoes
and riCkety boats were at the water
edge, and in these excursions were some.
times made to tho opposite shore, half u
mile d slant. in search of mu!berries. One
day the writer, with "a companion, had
crossed the river in one OF these frau
boats, and was gathering mulbegries from
a tree on the farther shore when there was
seen coming down the rivera sharp bend
was made opposite the camp-a feet OF
vessels AS the Fcderals had no steam
boats on tie river those in sight were
looked upon with suspicion.
IL was soon discovered that they were
gunboats, but not Of the Federal navy.
They passed near by and anchored a little
farther down In the middle OF the river.
This was tho remnant Of u Confederate
feet that had retreated up the river upon
the fall of Mobile.
On returning, we passed very near these
vessels, but those on board seemed as quiet
and orderly as II attending funeral.
Pretty soon whole feet of transports
hove in sight, and it was learned that these,
with the gunboats and all other Confcder-
ate property Of a military character, had q
few days previous been surrendered by
General Richard Taylor, the Confederate
Department Commander, to General Candy,
representing the United States Govern.
meut